Fab tool book-to-bill above parity for first time in 16 months

SAN FRANCISCO—North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor capital equipment posted a book-to-bill ratio of 1.01 on a three-month average basis for February, the first time the industry has achieved a book-to-bill above parity since September of 2010, according to the fab tool vendor trade group SEMI.

"For the first time since September 2010, the book-to-bill ratio is over parity as three-month average bookings continued to increase," said Denny McGuirk, president and CEO of SEMI, in a statement. "Investments in advanced process technologies for NAND Flash, microprocessor, and foundry are key spending drivers for the year."

North America-based fab tool vendors reported orders of $1.33 billion on a three-month average basis for February, up 12.2 percent from January and down 16.5 percent compared to February 2011, SEMI said.. Billings for North American-based tool vendors were $1.32 billion on a three-month average basis in February, up 6.4 percent from January and down 28.3 percent compared to February 2011, SEMI said.

A book-to-bill of 1.01 means that $101 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.